The Department of Education (DepEd) launched its P100.8-million financial assistance pilot program on Thursday, designed to support learners and teacher-coaches as the agency seeks to develop Filipino talent for national and international competitions. The initiative addresses a longstanding gap, as many Filipino students and educators have historically shouldered competition-related costs out of pocket, limiting participation primarily to those who can afford registration fees, travel, and training expenses.

Education Secretary Juan Edgardo "Sonny" M. Angara, speaking in Filipino in a news release, said the initiative reflects the vision of President Bongbong Marcos. "President Bongbong Marcos believes that no talent should be left behind simply because of a lack of support," Angara stated.

"We aim to ease the burden on our learners and teacher-coaches so they can focus on honing their skills and bringing honor to the country," he added.

The program, officially named Government Assistance and Subsidies–Training and Upgrading Knowledge for Learners, Teachers, and Achievers in Schools (GAS-TUKLAS), extends financial assistance to learners in both public and private elementary and secondary schools. This includes students enrolled in DepEd-recognized Alternative Learning System (ALS) programs, as well as teacher-coaches, to help cover competition-related expenses.

Applicants from low-income households will receive priority consideration.

Under the application process, submissions undergo review and endorsement at three administrative levels — the school, the Schools Division Office, and the Regional Office — before final validation and approval by the DepEd Central Office through its Government Assistance and Subsidies Service (GASS).

Financial assistance amounts are determined based on allowable expenses, competition requirements, fund availability, and applicable government regulations. The support is intended to cover registration fees, training and preparation costs, travel expenses, and boarding and lodging.

Interested applicants must submit all required documents at least 45 working days prior to participating in DepEd-endorsed or DepEd-acknowledged individual and team competitions. Eligible contests span academic, sports, creative, and cultural areas, as well as other related and interdisciplinary events. DepEd said the list of accredited events will be posted periodically on its official website.

The pilot implementation, scheduled for School Year 2026-2027, is designed to gather implementation data, policy insights, and operational evidence. DepEd said this information will be used to refine program policies and support future expansion into what it described as a "national support mechanism for learners and teacher-coaches across all regions." The staggered approach allows the agency to assess demand, gauge fund allocation efficiency, and identify administrative bottlenecks before committing to a full nationwide rollout.

In a related effort to support young Filipino talent, Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito earlier this month filed Senate Bill No. 2167, a measure aimed at supporting young Filipino athletes and expanding sports opportunities nationwide. The bill seeks to establish sports participation vouchers and financial assistance for aspiring athletes, particularly those from low-income households and underserved communities. It also proposes support for the development and upgrading of local sports and recreational facilities to encourage greater youth participation.

— Almira Louise S. Martinez